Nov. 9, 2012: Our readers write

Post-election thoughts

The election is over. May God have mercy on us.

Claud Richardson

Elizabethtown

Flag suggestion

Many Americans feel great distress and a loss of hope with the re-election of President Barack Obama.

I would suggest any of you who have flag poles to fly your flags at half mast to show we are in mourning over the death of our country on Nov. 6, 2012.

Betty Dobson

Elizabethtown

Take special care of pets during winter

Winter, with its bitter winds, rain and snow, is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to check our dog houses, patching and repairing all cracks and leaks. It is also time for new, clean bedding, and straw is best. This bedding will need to be replaced often; putting a board along the bottom of the door opening will help keep the bedding inside the house. Also, turning the door away from the wind helps protect your dog from the cold.

For those who still have not built or purchased that dog house, there are some important things to remember. The house should be only large enough for the dog to walk in, turn around and lay down. If the house is that size, the dog’s body heat can warm the interior somewhat. When a dog house is larger than needed, your companion will suffer greatly from the cold weather this winter. More ideas to help your dog: The door needs to be off-set to one side, giving the dog a wall to lie behind. An over-lapping roof and small porch also can give you dog additional protection.

Cats also need a house, something they can get into, not just a box, with a blanket in the garage or barn.

High-quality food is very important and adding a tablespoon of corn oil can provide extra calories for warmth. Meat fat, drippings and bones are bad for dogs and cats and should be put in the garbage, not in your animals.

The need for a constant supply of fresh water cannot be exaggerated. To ensure that my dogs and cats have water at all times, I use heated bowls when possible. When that is not possible, I switch buckets frequently. When a bucket begins to freeze, I put it in the tub to thaw and put a fresh bucket outside. Insufficient water can lead to dehydration, hypothermia and death.

Even though the weather is harsh, take time each day to talk and pay with your cats and dogs. They love you. You are their whole world.

Once again I plead with you, please have your dogs and cats spayed and neutered. When you do you are eliminating the possibility of different kinds of cancer and you also are taking a giant step toward ending animal suffering caused by overpopulation.

lucia beeler

Cecilia